Last fall, I got this short question from Harley Ruth, a Surgite of "an advanced age" who lives down in the San Antonio area.
"When I was much younger, I hit the ball around 300 yards. Now, at my advanced age, I am lucky to hit it 150 yards with the driver. I am in excellent health, but I just have gotten down to around 80 MPH club head speed. IS THERE ANY WAY TO INCREASE CLUB HEAD SPEED?"
Harley, there are some things you can do to increase club head speed. Certainly you should have your clubs checked by a competent club fitter to ensure that your clubs are not holding you back from swinging at your maximum speed. You can also work on strength training since the #1 reason we lose club head speed as we age is due to muscle mass loss. The strength of your muscles have a lot to do with how fast you can swing a club. I like to think of this analogy: As cars get bigger and heavier, they need bigger engines to power the vehicle forward. So too with our muscles. We don't have time in this daily to dive into this topic in detail but suffice it to say that keeping fit, no matter what our age, is an important key to playing the best golf that we can.
But let's face it, doing these things can help slow down the process but they cannot reverse the inevitable loss of swing speed. It's a natural part of life. Many of us who jog or ride bikes for exercise know that we can cover the same distances that we used to do but what we can't do is do it at the same speed.
So we need to accept that our days of blasting 300 yard drives are over and adapt our game to focus on a different set of skills--i.e. your short game. If you can consistently hit the ball down the middle of the fairway, work on your short game skills so that you can get up and down in regulation or better. If you read this blog often enough, you'll eventually come across stories how older Surgites consistently outscore the young guns they play with (i.e. the ones that still hit those three hundred yard drives.) Why? Because very often those 300 yard drives are 250 down the fairway and 50 right or left! Straight and steady with excellent pitching, chipping and putting skills will give you a very competitive game, no matter who you are playing with.
And don't be intimidated by the younger guys if they insist that you play from the same tees. Golf course designers put different tee boxes on every hole for a reason--to give players of all different swing speeds the opportunity to play the hole on an equivalent basis. So find the tee box that puts you into position to hit the green in regulation on a consistent basis and then nail your approach shot and your putts. Do this and you may just become the guy people at the course like to brag about. You know the story, the one where people say something like "Old Joe just bops the ball down the middle, not very far and yet by the time I find my ball over in the rough and get it on the green, he's just standing there patiently watching with a big old grin on his face. I just don't know how he does it, but he beats the pants off me every time!"
Fairways & Greens!
The Surge
If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.
Comments
Don
Don
Reviewing yours and DJ's swing through the bag I notice at the top of the swing that both your left arms have swung up and across your chest putting your left hand relatively close to your right shoulder. I cannot get anywhere close to that. A 70 degree shoulder turn keeps my hands out side the toe line. Reason being IMO is that I am a muscular advantaged person. Another words a very thick chest and biceps that are 16 inches in diameter that will not swing across my chest. I feel like I have to make bigger shoulder turn to get the left arm on the toe line or take a parallel left alignment then pull the back foot a inch or so off the toe line to make room to swing back and up the tree is the right approach or maybe being a little more bent over to make room for the swing. Then I have to fight this on the FUS.
ÃÂ ÃÂ
Funny thing for me was that
Funny thing for me was that the most I ever weighed was 227 pounds and that was when I was in the best physical condition I have ever been in.
At that time I could run a 4 minute 25 second mile, bench press 400 lbs and run a 4.6 second 40 yard dash.
Now I only weigh 185 pounds, don't know what I could bench press (not much, ouch my rotator cuff), probably would have a hard time breaking a 7 minute mile (call the paramedic), and anything that includes the word "dash" would probably mean a pulled muscle. Ha ha!
Oh, I had a 32 inch waist when I weighed 227 and have a 34 inch waist now at 185.
My goal a couple of years ago was to get into the same shape I was in college but pretty quickly had to revise that thought to be in the best shape I can be in today.
Oh, I am 56 (since November) and I am 6' 1 1/2" tall.
Thanks Surge!!
Thanks Surge!!
That makes me feel better!!
marilyn
Thanks, RM!ÃÂ Hope you have
Thanks, RM!ÃÂ Hope you have a great week!ÃÂ R2
Rodger, Just now getting back
Rodger, Just now getting back to the blog and noticed you posting about your posture. Being out of work, going on weekÃÂ 3 this go round, we're having to watch the pennies pretty good so I've spent a lot of time studying my swing video and comparing it to Surge's and others. Regardless of my back pain problem, I noticed something in my dismal pixel video I was losing my spine angle. I think this was due to, like you, my old rotational swing. I couldn't find my protractor to get an accurate degree inclination but I was coming up pretty good and had that flat shoulder turn at the start of my BUS. So last night,I started making a conscious effort in my swing drills to maintain my spine angle. So I took it outside around noon today and "wow" talk about some snap in the ball (almostgolf ones,that is), I noticed quite the improvement in not only distance but consistent, solid contact in the center of the club face. I was launching them about 21 strides farther than before and flying my BB goal target.
ÃÂ To everyone in general, if you have some inconsistency in your swing, video & check that spine angle.You may find you're losing it in some fashion. Both Surge and DJ are pretty spot on in theirs.
ÃÂ So I'm off in search of dailies on spine angle and such to pass the next few hours until the game tonight.
edit add-on, makes one really appreciate the "butt on the wall" drill which will really let you feel if your losing your angle.
Gedsons:ÃÂ Yup - you are
Gedsons:ÃÂ Yup - you are right on!ÃÂ I'm 68 and couldn't hit my old clubs worth crap.ÃÂ Then along comes Doc Griffin with his long-distance fitting program.ÃÂ He built me a driver with a 45-gram lady-flex shaft and a 350 cc head.ÃÂ Best driver I've EVER hit!!! Then he built me some beautiful hybrids, later some short irons, and just recently, a kick-butt 56* sand wedge.ÃÂ All with very light, flexible graphiteÃÂ shafts.ÃÂ It makes all the difference in the world to have the correct tools for the trade - I am a true believer.ÃÂ I think that our ability to play better golf is sometimesÃÂ limited by our lack of understandingÃÂ the basics of "custom" clubs - what they are and how they can help us. Yes, cost isÃÂ a factor, but Doc Griffin can build a full set one club at a time, and you will end up with an incredible, and very playable, set of custom clubs at a very reasonable cost. ÃÂ Hit 'em straight!ÃÂ R2
Nothing to do with golf and
Nothing to do with golf and there may only be two people on the blog that care but it would be BAD LUCK if I didn't post this link the night before the battle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Edit: I hope so Dan. Win or lose I hope we show up to play.
They show that video on the big screen before home games and I always said if I watched it I could never lose.
Maybe I should try it before I play golf. Ha ha!
ÃÂ Well, I am glad I waited
ÃÂ Well, I am glad I waited overnight to add my two cents worth. I am amazed at the presumptiousness of some of us posters on here. Every lesson must be perfect in every way or the crybabies unlimber their typing finger(s).
As I am in the same boat as Harley and piggybacking on some of the comments from Gedson and RayReed above, let me add some information.
Harley asked for information to hit the ball farther. Surge mentioned equipment, strength, flexibility, on-on-on square and solid. He did not specifically talk about the principles of the swing he espouses, but those of us who have bought the concept would add swinging theÃÂ arms faster and in front of the body as techniques to learn and improve. Another point that should be added would be the proper ball. Much has been said by Surge and Doc on this subject. In addition, the principle that straight is longer needs to be understood.
I bought a book twenty years ago that is worth considering for strength and flexibility.
"30 Excercises for Better Golf"-- Frank Jobe MD and Diane Schwab MS ISBN
0-93669-00-X. This book was one of the first to use electronic measuring of "muscle firing" to measure muscle action in the golf swing. Interestingly, one of the principles they found was that the hips initiate the downswing.Another was that the rotator cuff is an important factor. Another was that the swing is bilateral.Any of this sound familiar to surgites?
Dr Jobe was one ot the top orthopedic experts in the country. If I am not mistaken, he was the one who developed the "Tommy John" surgery. So, he is not a quack.
Another book worth reading is "The Physics of Golf" by Theo. Jorgenson ISBN
0-88318-955-0. He used strobiscopic photography to measue the velocities and acceleration in the body and club in a professional golf swing. Also, he discusses the effect of backspin which has been recognized as very important in distance and club design. Not all off his conclusions are compatble with the surge swing, but many of them such as limited backswing are. In any event, it is worth the read.
Trying to close the book here, I understand what Surge is saying about learning the shortgame--ie. learn to play "inside out" which anyone who has studied the game knows is the right way to play to score, even the best pros--in fact an argument could be made that the best pros are the best inside out.
But, for people like Harvey and me who are not ready to concede quite yet,we appeciate the information that allows us to keep hanging in there. I know how the game is scored on the card, but there are times that is not the game I am playing, right Harvey?
i am glad you said something
i am glad you said something I would have missed the final round I have it dvred just assumed it was a 3 day tourny for some reason have not watched today's round yet.
Steve I agree it should be
Steve I agree it should be like cheating for me.
First off when I get into my posture what I have been working on is standing straight up then placing my palms on the front of my legs and let them slide down until my fingers touch the top of my knee's this sets the knee flex in the process. This allows me to swing tension free as long as my left shoulder goes down a little and around until the arm is under my chin instead of trying to turn the shoulders flat which causes tension and was rotational related. 1 mistake is for me to listen to my buddies at the range say that your to bent over to much.
I feel like I need to keep that posture to swing freely and with power anything else is a big power loss for me and its probably the correct athletic posture.
Another thing I caught myself doing this weekend was not letting the forearms rotate going back which lead to the club head being closed in the mitt and not toe up which i probably do not release it and rotate the forearms enough through impact get the face to square but not let it rotate to toe up in the mitt in the FUS not allowing my self to get extinction down the line and up the tree.
The last 15 shots I hit were with the posture described above and hit 15 great shots straight just not a great T finish yet but working on releasing the club fully through impact is allowing me to get some separation elbows, arms away from the body and higher hands in the FUS.ÃÂ
So I am working on posture and forearm rotation back and through and proper shoulder turn not flat and around but left shoulder down and around and the opposite on the FUS.
On top of this stuff is the treadmill everyday and light lifting three days a week.
I am still working on getting some video to post but the covered with the covered Tees and sun location and being cloudy they are turning out a little on the dark side when I load them to my computer.
But, I still hate it!!!
But, I still hate it!!!
marilyn
RF:ÃÂ I certainly agree
RF:ÃÂ I certainly agree with you - the correct shaft really makes a ton of difference!ÃÂ As my swing speedÃÂ slowed down over the years, I was losing distance because I couldn't make the shaft "kick" where it should.ÃÂ Thank goodness Doc Griffin came along and got me back in the game again.ÃÂ :-)ÃÂ Take care and have a great week!ÃÂ R2
You know I really need to
You know I really need to take my phone off autospell.
My text above should read "thinking" and not thinning and mesomorph not "meal"
I believe that you fully
I believe that you fully missed the point of his question. He acknowledged that he was a healthy senior so your focus as on his advanced age and not on ways to improve his swing speed (i.e what should he do to get more speed). At least address that as well. We all aren't at a senior level where this isn't helpful advice.ÃÂ
I'll cheer on the Tide
I'll cheer on the Tide tomorrow night. Should be a great game.
Surge,Love the way you start
Surge,
Love the way you start this thread with the thought of "I don't know what an advanced age is....". I truely believe that age and the lose of muscle and speed(and health in general) vary radically from one person to the based largely on the life style and attitude.
The reminders for flexibility, strength and over all health through excersise and nutrician are key. In my experience, most people who hang tough the longest have a regular routine of excersise that is weekly if not daily. For the most part they eat healthy and believe in supplements (as in vitamins).
One of the first things I ask someone who comes down with a cold or some other phase of common ill health is, how often and how much vitamin C they take. Most answer, I TRY to take some. Or I STARTED taking some this morning. Too little, too late. Regularity is key for C and all other supplements and excersise. Don't want to take too much space with the exhaustive detail this subject deserves but can basically sum up by saying, my wife and I buy and eat primarily organic. (Notice: "primarily"not exclusively). We supplement with vitamins,ect. We also have belonged to a gym and worked out every week for decades and stretching/yoga are always part of the picture. At 54 I'm darn healthy. Yes it ALL makes a difference.
Now my golf game? A continual work in progress.
"High level to the very end
"High level to the very end and then drop off rapidly".
I have unfortunately am seeing more and more of my aunts and uncles (and my parents) pass these last few years. I wish I could say theyÃÂ stayed fairly strongÃÂ and then went fairly quickly. Unfortunately most are going slowly and painfully.It seemsÃÂ only in the movies do they "operate at a high level" and then have a glorious end. Though I do entend to live as healthy as possible for as long asÃÂ allowed I can only pray for a reasonably swift end after a last day on the golf course. That would be the way to go. Meanwhile, full steam ahead.
I guess if I am going to keep
I guess if I am going to keep up with you and Robert I better start lifting some weights.
All I really do is cardio. Looks like that would make me lose power but I can't tell that it has made any difference in golf because I still feel very fast with my arms. Wouldn't hurt to try at least some weight lifting.
I sort of go back and forth a bit on posture myself. Sometimes I hit the ball better more upright and sometimes better more bent over. I guess it depends on how many of the other things that I do wrong I happen to be doing wrong at that time. ;-)
GET TO THE "POINTS",ÃÂ Your
GET TO THE "POINTS",ÃÂ Your jabbering on ane on.ÃÂ ÃÂ
Steve:ÃÂ Thank you, and
Steve:ÃÂ Thank you, and very well said!ÃÂ R2
To me the spine angle is
To me the spine angle is hardest thing to measure accurately in different parts of the swing because it's hard to know exactly where the spine is.
Most of the players that I have measured the best I can have the spine angle move slightly down at the top. Then down even more during the down swing, some a lot, some only a little.
Then most stay down close to where they were at the lowest point through impact.
My spine angle goes down more at the top than most of the good players.
Then goes down more in the downswing as most of them do BUT starts coming back up before impact and is higher at impact than it was at address.
The degree of change AND the starting angle varies widely from swing to swing but they all have the up, down and up to one degree or another.
Results of one of my swings:
33* at address.
42* at top of back swing.
27* at impact.
Results for one of DJ's swings:
36* at address.
41* at top of back swing.
34* at impact.
One of Don's:
30* at address.
33* at top of back swing.
28* at impact.
Nothing precise about those measurements because where two different people would start the line for the bottom of the spine might be in different places but for comparison each was done the same way.
Biggest differences are that they stay down through impact more and stay close to the same with each swing.
At address I found everything from 26* to 36* for me, and all I checked were driver swings. No telling how much difference there would be with other clubs.
I guess it means that my swings are never likely to be the same and I just have to be able to hit the ball with whatever angles my body was in the mood for on that swing. ;-)
Edit: I hope Craig doesn't mind but I did one of his swings the same way and here is what he did.
29* at address.
30* top of back swing.
29* at impact.
Interesting note:
Swings from earlier last year when I was making no attempt to keep the lower body more stable and just let it flow, my spine angle and my head remained more still.
Don't know what to make of any of it but there it is.
Maybe I'm missing something
Maybe I'm missing something but I have no idea what you are talking about andÃÂ thought he DID mention ways to "improve his swing speed".
He talked about strength and flexibility training and having the proper clubs.
About the only thing that could be added to those two factors is swing mechanics, which he covers all the time. Each little detail of swing mechanics can be a factor in club speed and consistent sweet spot contact. To try to put every detail of those mechanics in one video would make it an awfully long video.
There is quite a library of swing mechanics information using the search bar spread out over the last year and even before from when the blog was in written form.
Everything he said applies to not only seniors but everyone else as well. It wouldn't matter if you were 20 years old or 90 years old the only ways you are going to improve distance are through altering strength, flexibility, speed, mechanics, and equipment.
Even if it were possible to have every one of those factors as perfect as we could possibly achieve there is always going to be a limit to how far we can hit a golf ball.
Whether that limit is very short or very long we have to learn to make the best of what we have in other areas of the game.
There is no magic formula that would make me hit the ball like Bubba, Tiger, Quiros or any other of the really big hitters but to come as close as is possible for me everything Surge said applies.
How long or short we are just depends on who we are playing against anyway. Most people would consider me a fairly long hitter but I'm often the shortest hitter in the group I play with so I have to try to compete with the short game.
I like the way you think,
I like the way you think, Steve, RTR!!!!
Steve, I concur. One thing I
Steve, I concur. One thing I do know, long or short, down the middle is always good. And secondly, chipping and putting is the #1one most important part of the game.
ie. Steve Stricker.
Yes, don't forget the last
Yes, don't forget the last round is Monday and should finish before the game starts. Go Stricker! Love his no wrist cock swing.
SteveThe funny thing is I had
Steve
The funny thing is I had a rotational coach 15 or so years ago tell me that I should quit working out with weights that my arms were getting to big for a golf swing. I turned around and looked at him and told him I don't lift weights he looked at me like I was nuts. I told that this is what happens when you work for a living.From 10 - 16 years old farm work 60 lbs bails of hay,digging post holes by hand carry buckets of water from the lake to the barn a long walk by the way.Then 18 - 26 concrete construction. 26 - 44 handling 50 bags - 700 lb drums everyday for that period. Now 44 - 50 setting behind a desk. I would rather be out in the plant working.
ÃÂ ÃÂ
Add
My body type is mesomorph with some characteristics of endomorph.
Surge, you hit it on the head
Surge, you hit it on the head. As you age you do lose a lot of club head speed.I'm 74 swing 85mph. But it too me a whole season to figure out my new game. Keep it in the middle of the fairway,and sharpen the short game.Move up to the gold tees and go back to winning and few more tournaments. Belive me the game is still just as enjoyable. Walk some more, keep the legs strong they are your foundation of the swing. Keep playingÃÂ Ron H
T:ÃÂ Now that was funny!ÃÂ
T:ÃÂ Now that was funny!ÃÂ Thanks for the good chuckle.ÃÂ R2
Boog If I just turn my
Boog
If I just turn my shoulders around the upper spine the left shoulder will go slightly down and a round under the chin and the back shoulder goes up and back and do the opposite on the FUS. I hit really good shots. I just need to ingrain this so it is automatic.
GO BAMA
Valdes,
Valdes,
The reason YOUR question was not addressed in the video is, IT was not the question asked. The question asked Was addressed properly. For help with your question just go to the search block on the right bottom column of this page and enter DISTANCE. The topic has already been addressed many times in daily tips and blogs. Here is one to get you started. Good luck.
http://swingsurgeon.com/DailyV...ÃÂ
RTR!!!!
RTR!!!!
I'm no expert on why a video
I'm no expert on why a video might play better on U-Tube than right off of the blog. (I usually have to deal with letting the video load either way).
It could be your computer is slow (like mine is).
It could be that your provider is slow (like mine is).
It could be that your flash player needs to be updated.
In the meantime you can click on U-Tube at the bottom of the video after you click play and it will take you to the U-tube page where you can watch it there.
Or start the video and pause it until it loads and then you should be able to watch it without the starts and stops.
Or you could try it on a different setting by clicking the 360p at the bottom and trying it on 240p.
Or you could make sure your cookies and history are deleted that might help speed up your computer.
TM Had never seen this before
TM Had never seen this before and had a wee chuckle at it. Earthy humour but clever. As for being offended? PC is not my cup of tea mate.Just back from a few holes with a pair of 'new' golf shoes, hobble, hobble hahaha. Not too ugly for a first outing. Some positives, particularly in the accuracy of my short game shots. Even moving the ball in the air today. That is something I could never do before. Have a great day where ever you are, and may the best team win.
Pages